MOST women fantasise about a romantic marriage proposal.

But crying into her coffee cup, sweaty and exhausted after a 1,000-mile cycle ride, Mary Payne had not imagined it would be the perfect moment to say ‘I do’.

The 31-year-old was composing herself in a John O’Groats cafe after an emotional trip from Land’s End when boyfriend of one year Shaun Beckhelling got down on one knee.

The pair, from Turner Street, Kingshill, had spent 15 days cycling from one end of the land to the other to raise £3,000 for Prospect Hospice where Shaun’s mother Mo receives support.

“I don’t think I could have looked worse,” said Mary.

“Nothing could have prepared me for that cycle and I was very emotional when we got to John O’Groats. The very last thing I was expecting was a proposal.”

Romantic Shaun, 40, asked the big question in front of diners at the cafe on June 26 and – after more than a few tears – Mary managed to splutter a yes.

The self-employed plumber had been planning the proposal for weeks, roping in his oldest daughter Imogen, 13, to hide the ring in her bedroom.

Imogen was the only one in on the plan, and she even managed to keep the secret from little sister Mia, nine.

“I can’t believe she never let on,” said soon-to-be step-mum Mary.

“She was excellent – I didn’t suspect a thing.”

The pair are hoping to wed in 2012 but Mary has no intentions of reliving the challenge that led to the proposal any time soon.

“Maybe we can do it again for our silver wedding anniversary,” she said.

“I think 25 years should be enough time to recover from this one.”